
Post-emergent herbicides work on weeds that have already begun to grow, and are a fast and effective choice for getting rid of weeds as they pop up between cracks in sidewalks, concrete and asphalt driveways and in graveled areas. However, they only kill the existing weeds and won't prevent new plants from growing. When using these herbicides, take care not to damage wanted plants that might be adjacent to where you’re applying them.
Safety Alerts!
Many post-emergent herbicides can be toxic. Purchase only as much as you need and wear protective clothing and garden gloves. Dispose of herbicides according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Temporarily keep children and pets away from areas that have been recently treated with herbicides. On a dry day, herbicides are safe to walk on soon after application.
There are a number of commercially available chemical weed killer options at your disposal. Whitney Farms and St. Gabriel are just two manufacturers that offer organic herbicide options. Many of the most popular ones come in small, handheld spray bottles, concentrated formulas with garden hose attachments, or for use in gallon-sized tanks with sprayer applicators. For quick, spot-weeding jobs where you only have a handful of weeds peeking out of cracks, the handheld spray bottle is a good choice. You simply spray the plant and wait for it to wither and die off. For larger areas with more weed infestation, the garden hose sprayer, or the gallon-sized tank/sprayer applicator option, are better options for getting rid of more weeds at once. These are especially effective for gravel driveways. Be sure to read all manufacturer instructions carefully before use. You should start to see results even in just a few hours.
Helpful Tip
Avoid using spray herbicides on windy days if you can. It’s more economical and you can keep overspray to a minimum.